Lung nodules: Can they ever be non-cancerous?

Hi @missholly, I merged your 2 discussions into one and expanded the title of your question. It is so frightening to hear the words "lung nodules". Like others have said, they are very common and most lung nodules aren't cancerous. See this article from Mayo experts:

- Lung nodules: Can they be cancerous? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/expert-answers/lung-nodules/faq-20058445

Of course, you're worried. I would be too. But the good news is that they were found and are being investigated. Your team cares. I look forward to getting your update after the upcoming appointment.

Hi @missholly, I merged your 2 discussions into one and expanded the title of your question. It is so frightening to hear the words "lung nodules". Like others have said, they are very common and most lung nodules aren't cancerous. See this article from Mayo experts:

- Lung nodules: Can they be cancerous? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/expert-answers/lung-nodules/faq-20058445

Of course, you're worried. I would be too. But the good news is that they were found and are being investigated. Your team cares. I look forward to getting your update after the upcoming appointment.

Bran a has done my several broncoscopies. I like him. I see his younger partner Jared Kravitz who is very good. I amtreat3d at UT infectious disease which I do not recommend but I’ve been consulted with Mayo ID and plan to go up to Mayo in the late Fall if myMAC is still present.

My husband had a pet scan that showed 8mm Nodule He had an appointment today(1/7/26 to go over report that said suspisious for malignancy. The dr office called yesterday and said they had to cancel his appointment until 2/24/26. We are upset that this appt is almost 6 weeks away and we have to continue to worry about the results. Any advice would be appreciated.

@louiset65, I'm sure you hoped to find answers today, so this has to be hard on both of you.
Generally speaking, many providers want to monitor the nodules until one is at least 1 cm. It's difficult to biopsy small nodules, and no one wants an inconclusive result after putting the patient through the bronchoscopy procedure. I saw in another post that one of your husband's nodules is close to that 1 cm size, but a bit smaller. It wouldn't be unusual for a provider to recommend another follow up scan in 3-6 months at this size. The scan shows something of concern, without a biopsy and pathology, we don't really know what the nodules are made up of. Don't forget that they could be many things other than cancer, such as inflammation, infection, fungus. It's hard to know, as our lungs are sensitive and can be impacted by many factors.

Does his provider offer a wait list, where you may be able to get an earlier appointment if an appointment unexpectedly opens up? Are there other providers in the same practice that may be able to see him sooner?

@louiset65, I'm sure you hoped to find answers today, so this has to be hard on both of you.
Generally speaking, many providers want to monitor the nodules until one is at least 1 cm. It's difficult to biopsy small nodules, and no one wants an inconclusive result after putting the patient through the bronchoscopy procedure. I saw in another post that one of your husband's nodules is close to that 1 cm size, but a bit smaller. It wouldn't be unusual for a provider to recommend another follow up scan in 3-6 months at this size. The scan shows something of concern, without a biopsy and pathology, we don't really know what the nodules are made up of. Don't forget that they could be many things other than cancer, such as inflammation, infection, fungus. It's hard to know, as our lungs are sensitive and can be impacted by many factors.

Does his provider offer a wait list, where you may be able to get an earlier appointment if an appointment unexpectedly opens up? Are there other providers in the same practice that may be able to see him sooner?

@lls8000 @louise65 My husband had a lung nodule that he worried about. He had already had melanoma on his hand that was removed, and he is high risk for a cancer reoccurrence, but so far, we have been good with all his scans. The nodule actually disappeared on later imaging. He was worried about waiting, but it is the right thing to do when the doctor says wait because they need to know if it changes and how. Maybe that doesn't help your worries, but we've been there too.